Southern Baptists sent 1,155 new missionaries overseas during
2001, a 28 percent increase from the previous high of 902 a couple of years
earlier.
The new workers brought the total number of long-term missionaries
on the field to more than 5,100, Southern Baptist International Mission Board
President Jerry Rankin reported to trustees during their recent scheduled meeting.
Southern Baptists sent 1,155 new missionaries overseas during
2001, a 28 percent increase from the previous high of 902 a couple of years
earlier.
The new workers brought the total number of long-term missionaries
on the field to more than 5,100, Southern Baptist International Mission Board
President Jerry Rankin reported to trustees during their recent scheduled meeting.
In addition, the 1,155 total included 361 career and associate
missionaries, the most ever appointed in one year.
Rankin also reported on volunteer work.
Though many short-term volunteers canceled their overseas projects
after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the total number of volunteers for 2001
still totaled 33,700, surpassing the 31,000 who served in overseas missions
projects in 2000, he said.
The … [Read more...]

In the darkness of the early morning, the van stops in front of the hotel.
The driver walks at a determined clip toward the front door.
"You folks ready?"
We give a weak affirmative nod. I reach for my wifes reassuring hand.
In the darkness of the early morning, the van stops in front of the hotel.
The driver walks at a determined clip toward the front door.
"You folks ready?"
We give a weak affirmative nod. I reach for my wifes reassuring hand.
As the sun begins to share its light with the surrounding plateaus and mountains,
the driver heads the van onto a bare parking lot and stops. The 10 of us file
slowly out of the van. More excitement and reluctance.
Two men meet us and walk determinedly to the back of the trailer that has followed
the van. They throw open the doors and there sits our challenge.
We pull the wicker basket of wicker baskets out of the trailer, and then a
large bag. The three men begin assembling pieces of nylon and chromed metal
and wicker. One man brings out two gasoline-powered fans and sets them loose
to blow, blow, blow. The thin nylon fabric slowly begins coming to life.
Like a giant bag of … [Read more...]

In the darkness of the early morning, the van stops in front of the hotel.
The driver walks at a determined clip toward the front door.
"You folks ready?"
We give a weak affirmative nod. I reach for my wifes reassuring hand.
In the darkness of the early morning, the van stops in front of the hotel.
The driver walks at a determined clip toward the front door.
"You folks ready?"
We give a weak affirmative nod. I reach for my wifes reassuring hand.
As the sun begins to share its light with the surrounding plateaus and mountains,
the driver heads the van onto a bare parking lot and stops. The 10 of us file
slowly out of the van. More excitement and reluctance.
Two men meet us and walk determinedly to the back of the trailer that has followed
the van. They throw open the doors and there sits our challenge.
We pull the wicker basket of wicker baskets out of the trailer, and then a
large bag. The three men begin assembling pieces of nylon and chromed metal
and wicker. One man brings out two gasoline-powered fans and sets them loose
to blow, blow, blow. The thin nylon fabric slowly begins coming to life.
Like a giant bag of … [Read more...]

A recent study - yes, another study - has revealed some remarkable
insights into the differences in growing, declining and plateaued churches.
The findings could surprise even the most ardent students of all the expounding
on church growth characteristics and methods.
The study has been noted as outstanding by the Southern Baptist Research Fellowship,
and received that groups annual award as such.
A recent study - yes, another study - has revealed some remarkable
insights into the differences in growing, declining and plateaued churches.
The findings could surprise even the most ardent students of all the expounding
on church growth characteristics and methods.
The study has been noted as outstanding by the Southern Baptist Research Fellowship,
and received that groups annual award as such.
The study was conducted to determine definitive figures on the relationship
of internal and external factors on growing, declining and plateaued churches.
As researchers are wont to do, the person who conducted the research said "it
was both." But there were fascinating caveats.
The study was conducted by Terri Stovall as a part of her work toward a Ph.D.
in church … [Read more...]

Tom Anderson understands clearly the importance of Southern
Baptist missions work among Native Ameri-cans.
He should - he is a product of it, coming to Christ as
a 14-year-old boy at a Southern Baptist revival service in his Choctaw Indian
village in southeastern Oklahoma.
Tom Anderson understands clearly the importance of Southern
Baptist missions work among Native Ameri-cans.
He should - he is a product of it, coming to Christ as
a 14-year-old boy at a Southern Baptist revival service in his Choctaw Indian
village in southeastern Oklahoma.
Now, Anderson has returned as a Southern Baptist North American
missionary to southeastern Oklahoma - to share the gospel and plant churches
among his native peoples.
The work has a number of challenges. Southeastern Oklahoma
is home to more than 250,000 Native Americans, 98 percent of whom are unchurched.
The Andersons minister among five Native American nations overall.
Anderson and his wife, Rhoda, put in a lot of legwork -
literally. Whether it is going door-to-door in an apartment complex, prayer
walking a neighborhood or driving 150 miles one way to preach and play the piano
at a worship service, church … [Read more...]

The Wednesday afternoon Royal Ambassadors session at Johenning Baptist Center
in Washington, D.C., begins with the basics.
"Give me a verse," says Wes Garrett, director of
the center.
"Joshua 1:9 - Do not be terrified, because your God
will be with you wherever you go," one of the boys answers.
The Wednesday afternoon Royal Ambassadors session at Johenning Baptist Center
in Washington, D.C., begins with the basics.
"Give me a verse," says Wes Garrett, director of
the center.
"Joshua 1:9 - Do not be terrified, because your God
will be with you wherever you go," one of the boys answers.
"Psalm 27:1 - The Lord is the light of my salvation.
Whom shall I fear?" another responds.
If there is a common thread to those choices, it is not entirely
coincidental. Fear is a significant issue in the Washington Highlands neighborhood
of Southeast District of Columbia, where illegal drugs are the dominant industry.
However, Garrett insists that the more influence he can have
through Royal Ambassadors and other ministries, the more likely young people
and others are to discover Christ as the ultimate solution to the problems … [Read more...]

Annual North American missions emphasis calls Southern Baptists to prayer
and giving - and to using their lives as a means of sharing the truth of the
Christian gospel with others
Annual North American missions emphasis calls Southern Baptists to prayer
and giving - and to using their lives as a means of sharing the truth of the
Christian gospel with others
In the gospel of John, Jesus proclaimed to his disciples and others a simple
truth that he is "the way and the truth and the life" - and the sole
way to God. Since then, Christians have focused energies on passing along that
word to others.
For Southern Baptists, that focus has led them to engage in missions and ministries
throughout the world. However, they have not neglected their own land as well,
sending out workers across North America with a gospel charge.
Each year, Southern Baptists recognize those workers during a week of prayer
and focus on the task of North American missions, set for March 3-10 this
year. During that time, they also emphasize the Annie Armstrong East Offering
for North American Missions, which has a goal of providing some $52 million
for missions efforts this year.
But the annual emphasis is more than a time of prayer and giving. … [Read more...]

Nathan Bland is just six foot tall - but he still stands
out to those he meets in Karamay, China.
Part of it is a natural reaction. While Chinese residents are
used to having Americans visit their city to teach at Karamay Arts and Science
College, they are not so accustomed to African-Americans.
Nathan Bland is just six foot tall - but he still stands
out to those he meets in Karamay, China.
Part of it is a natural reaction. While Chinese residents are
used to having Americans visit their city to teach at Karamay Arts and Science
College, they are not so accustomed to African-Americans.
"Theyre getting used to me now," says Bland,
one of three Louisiana College graduates currently in the Karamay area.
"Most thought that I was an African when they first saw
me."
However, that is not the only reason Bland stands out, observers
note. He also has become known for his impact on the Northwest China city. "Theres
a new star in Karamay, and it is Nathan Bland," notes Zhan Wu Sheng, deputy
president of Karamay Arts and Science College.
Indeed, even after Bland got a vehicle to drive, he did not
qualify for a Chinese license, Sheng relates. … [Read more...]

One day, a friend stopped by Jerry Cupps house and asked
him to take a ride - there was something he should see.
The friend drove to nearby Picayune, Miss., where the two men
saw signs proclaiming, "Jesus is Lord of Picayune."
One day, a friend stopped by Jerry Cupps house and asked
him to take a ride - there was something he should see.
The friend drove to nearby Picayune, Miss., where the two men
saw signs proclaiming, "Jesus is Lord of Picayune."
The signs gave Cupp an idea for his own town of Franklinton
- but he could have had no idea what his decision would involve.
Indeed, Cupps decision to put "Jesus is Lord of
Franklinton" signs up in his city has resulted in a lawsuit against the
city and has sparked a grassroots movement that already seems to be spreading
to other areas.
"It was just one of those things that I felt like the
Lord wanted me to do, ..." he says.
"I never thought putting signs up on the road would cause
such a fuss. ... But its just like the Bible says, as long as God gets
the glory, thats what its there for. Whatever anybody else thinks
of it is between them and God. But I did it for the glory of … [Read more...]

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Editorial

By Waylon Bailey
Jesus was a man of prayer, and He left His church to be a people of prayer.
One of the many things that stand out about Jesus was His devotion in prayer. Mark noted how Jesus prayed. At the beginning (Mark 1:35), middle (Mark 6:46), and end of the Gospel (Mark 14:32), Mark showed that Jesus … Continue Reading.